White-throated swift Aeronautes saxatalis

Identification Tips:

• Length: 6.5 inches Wingspan: 14 inches
• Sexes similar
• Juvenile similar to adult
• Small aerial bird with cigar-shaped body and crescent-shaped wings
• Short tail strongly notched at tip
• Black upperparts
• Whitish throat extending down central belly and tapering to blunt point
• Black belly and sides of breast with isolated white spot on flanks
• Underwings pale gray

Similar species:

All swallows have longer tails, usually with a notch or fork, and broader wings. Black Swift and White-throated Swifts have forked tails and different patterning below. Chimney Swift is extremely similar but is larger, with longer wings, a darker rump and throat, and a different call.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.